History and achievements

Life Healthcare was founded as the hospital division of African Oxygen Limited, with the acquisition of the Ammed Group comprising four hospitals.

Established the first operation outside of South Africa with the purchase of the Gaborone Hospital in Botswana.

Acquired Afrox Occupational Healthcare and launched the occupational health business.

Opened its first acute rehabilitation unit for patients recovering from severe traumas, neurological damage or other disabling conditions, and continued to expand its rehabilitation business through the establishment of additional units based at hospitals in Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Durban, Pretoria, East London and Port Elizabeth.

Expanded into acute mental healthcare with a facility in Port Elizabeth, and subsequently established mental health treatment facilities in East London, Johannesburg and Durban.

Acquired the listed Presmed hospital group, comprising 38 hospitals and healthcare facilities in a transaction structured as a merger and reverse listing on the JSE. The business was known as Afrox Healthcare Limited.

Launched the chronic renal dialysis business, and continued to expand the offering of renal dialysis services through the establishment of renal units across Johannesburg and in East London.

Entered into a public/private partnership with the South African government, following the acquisition by Afrox Healthcare of a 55% stake in Life Esidimeni.

Acquired the Amahosp Group, comprising four hospitals and an emergency unit in Durban.

Operated the UK business, Partnership Health Group (PHG), established as a 50-50 joint venture with Care UK plc, a healthcare services company in the United Kingdom listed on the London Stock Exchange. PHG successfully obtained contracts to construct and operate a number of independent sector treatment centres on behalf of the UK National Health Service. Life Healthcare sold its 50% stake in 2008.

In January, following the implementation of transactions commenced in November 2003, the group was delisted, sold to a private consortium led by Brimstone and Mvelaphanda, and changed its name from Afrox Healthcare Limited to Life Healthcare Group Holdings Limited.

Built the Life Fourways Hospital.

Commissioned the new Life Cosmos Hospital.

Acquired the remaining 45% stake in Life Esidimeni

Built two new facilities – the Life Orthopaedic Hospital and Life Beacon Bay Hospital.

Listed as Life Healthcare Group Holdings Limited in the Health Care Providers sector on the JSE.

Acquired Life Bay View Private Hospital in Mossel Bay.